Nopal Crown

From the barrio blocks, I move slow, then flash

Boots on the curb and my cap tilted back

Mama said, “Mijo, keep your head in the game”

I kept my name clean, but my hands stayed stained

I know that look when the night gets mean

When the phone stay dead and the cash stay lean

But I built from dust, from corn, from sweat

Every scar on my skin got a story yet

Ay, look alive

We don’t fold, we rise

Hands up high

When the whole block cries

Nopal crown, nopal crown

I wear it proud, I wear it proud

Nopal crown, nopal crown

From the ground up, from the ground up

Nopal crown, nopal crown

You can’t break me down

Nopal crown, nopal crown

Hear that sound, hear that sound

Jeans got dust from the pueblo road

Mud on the soles and a heart made bold

I seen dreams get thin, I seen love run cold

Still I sang for the kids when the days got old

On the corner, they talk, but I talk less

Let the work speak loud, let the facts confess

Got a saint in my chain and a prayer in my chest

And a fire in my eyes that never rest

Ay, look alive

We don’t fold, we rise

Hands up high

When the whole block cries

Nopal crown, nopal crown

I wear it proud, I wear it proud

Nopal crown, nopal crown

From the ground up, from the ground up

Nopal crown, nopal crown

You can’t break me down

Nopal crown, nopal crown

Hear that sound, hear that sound

Tell my people I made it through

Through the heat, through the hurt, through the bitter truth

No chain can hold what the soul has claimed

I was born in the grind, but I rose with flame

Nopal crown, nopal crown

I wear it proud, I wear it proud

Nopal crown, nopal crown

From the ground up, from the ground up

Nopal crown, nopal crown

You can’t break me down

Nopal crown, nopal crown

Hear that sound, hear that sound